Indicator for storage batteries



Aug. 11, 1931. G. 'YULL INDICATOR FOR STORAGE BATTERIES Filed April 18, 1927 l NVEINTOR sonoou YULL 3mlw6.

ATT'YS UNITED STATES,

PATENT" OFFICE GORDON YULL, OF SUDBURY, ONTARIO, CANADA INDICATOR FOR STORAGE BATTERIES Application filed April 18,

This invention relates to improvements in indicators for storage batteries and more particularly to means for indicating thc'level of the electrolyte, and the object of the invention is to provide a device ofthis description for use in connection with-automobile batteries to warn the driver of the vehicle that one or more of the cells require water.

In carr ing out the invention the vent plugs are tted with lead electrodes and connected in series, an electrode ofone plug being connected to the ignition switch and an electrode of another plug to an electro-magnet, the circuit being completed by connecting the other terminal of the magnet to the negative pole of the battery or ground whereby the magnet is energized when the ignition switch is thrown in and whereby, on

the level of the electrolyte falling below the points of the electrodes, the magnet becomes de-energized, permitting a warning to be given by the illumination of a lamp.

Referring now to the drawing, in which a diagrammatic view of the device is disclosed P and in which like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts, A designates the battery and B the diagrammatic view of the electric circuit.

The battery comprises the cells 10, 11 and 12, and vent plugs 13, 14 and 15, eachof which is provided with two lead electrodes 16, 17 and 18 connected together in series, one electrode 16 of plug 13 being connected by the line 19 to the ignition switch 20, while one electrode 18 of plug is connected by' line 21 to one terminal of a small electromagnet 22, this circuit beingcompleted by connecting the other terminal 23 of the elec tro-magnet 22 to the negative pole 24 of the battery through lines 25 and 26. Connected to the line 25 is-a line 27 in which is a lamp 1927. Serial No. 184,814.

ed to the ignition line 33 and has therein a resistance coil 36.

To allow for the removal of the vent plugs from the battery for filling and testing, I provide push and pull connections 37, 38, 39 and 40.

In operation, on the switch 20 being closed, a circuit is formed through line 19, battery A, line 21, energizing the electro-magnet 22, causing the armature 31 to engage therewith and away from the contact point 29. The lamp 28 is in series with the contact point 29 and the negative pole of the battery through the lines 26 and 27, while the armature 31 is connected to the line side of the ignition switch 20. If, therefore, thelevel of the electrolyte in any of the cells of the battery falls below the points of the electrodes 16, 17 and 18, the magnet becomes deenergized, permittin the armature, under the influence of asprlng, to engage with the contact point 29, closing the circuit'though the line 27, lamp 28, line 26 to the negative pole 24, illuminating the lamp 28 and thereby giving warning to the driver. I

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many apparently widely different embodiments of my invention, within the scope of the claim, constructed without departing from the spirit or,

scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification and drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What I' claim as my invention is:

An indicator for storage batteries comprising in combination, a storage battery, a principal circuit deriving its current fromthe storage battery, a switch in said principal circuit, insulated, spaced apart, electrodes extending to a desired depth into the electrolyte in the battery, a second circuit in parallel with the principal circuit, said electrodes connected in series in said second circuit, an electro-magnet in series in said second circuit, the energizin of said second circuit controlled by the a oresaid switch, an armature operatively associated with the electromagnet, an alarmcircuit in' parallel with the second circuit and with the principal circuit, said armature in series in said alarm circuit, an alarm in series in said alarm circuit, the armature normally closing the alarm circuit when the electro-magnet 1s de-energized and operative to open the alarm circuit when the magnet is energized, the electroly te in the battery forming part of the second circuit.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 7

GORDON YULL. 

